That player is said to be Suarez, who has enjoyed a stunning season so far, and could well fire Liverpool into the Champions League next season – underlining exactly why he was not for sale last month.

A summer move looks more likely, but Chelsea will face competition from Arsenal, where Arsene Wenger admits he is still a huge fan of the striker, and Real Madrid – who have had scouts at a number of Suarez’s matches this term.

It’s thought that the Blues will test the water at the end of the season with a £55million offer.